We’re looking forward to introducing you to Hao Tran. Check out our conversation below.
Hao, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What is a normal day like for you right now?
My day begins around 5:00 a.m. when I sit down to work on lesson plans for my role as a culinary educator. By 6:15 a.m., I am at the pool with my swim team, where we train together for an hour before heading off to school. Throughout the school day, I teach a variety of courses including food science, hospitality and tourism, and culinary arts—each demanding in its own way and keeping me fully engaged from start to finish. After school, I transition into my other passion at Hao’s Grocery & Café. There, I spend the evening prepping ingredients, planning menus, and making dumplings along with other takeaway dishes for the week. Depending on whether I have an event, class, or private dinner to host, I usually work until about 10:00 p.m. before finally heading home to rest and prepare to do it all again the next day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I started my culinary journey in the most personal way—by inviting friends over for dinner. Those small gatherings around the table became the spark that inspired me to share more widely. What began as intimate meals with loved ones soon grew into pop-ups, from dumpling nights to collaborative dinners with other chefs. Each step felt like an extension of home, of culture, and of connection. Six years ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to open a brick-and-mortar space, a milestone that allowed me to continue building on my passion for sharing my heritage through food.
What makes my journey special is how all of my roles weave together. Teaching keeps me rooted in the joy of guiding and inspiring the next generation, while my café allows me to create, innovate, and honor tradition in a tangible way. For me, food is never just food—it is memory, culture, and a language of its own that brings people together. Looking ahead, I’m working toward a dream project: opening a full restaurant. With heart, perseverance, and community support, I hope 2026 will be the year that dream finally comes to life.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
Without a doubt, the people who have shaped me the most are my parents. We immigrated from Vietnam in 1975, part of the first wave of refugees to arrive in Arlington, Texas. It was a time of uncertainty, but my parents never let fear hold them back. They went to work almost immediately, doing whatever they could to provide for us and build a new life from the ground up. My siblings and I were latchkey kids, learning independence at a young age, but also witnessing firsthand the quiet strength and relentless determination of our parents.
We didn’t have much in those early years, but what we did have was the foundation my parents built through their sacrifices. They worked long hours, often at jobs that were difficult and thankless, yet they carried themselves with dignity, honesty, and kindness. From them, I learned that no matter your circumstances, you show up, you work hard, and you give your best effort. Their example has been my compass in life—teaching me resilience, humility, and the importance of doing good work not just for yourself, but for your family and community.
Their story of courage and sacrifice is one I carry with me every day. It’s the reason I strive to create opportunities, to share culture through food, and to lead with the same honesty and kindness they lived by. Everything I do—whether in the classroom, the pool, or the kitchen—has its roots in the values they instilled in me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Of course. Along the way, I faced some difficult business relationships that truly tested me. The values I’ve always held close—trust, honesty, and kindness—were challenged, and I had to learn how to protect myself in order to keep moving forward. It wasn’t easy, but I never let go of my vision. I kept working hard, staying focused on why I started this journey in the first place.
Those challenges changed me; they taught me resilience, sharpened my perspective, and shaped me into a stronger business owner. But through it all, one thing has never wavered—my passion for sharing my culture through food. That passion is what continues to guide me, no matter the obstacles.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
For sure, because living any other way would feel too difficult and unfulfilling. I’ve always chosen to live a life that allows me to experience it to the fullest—to embrace opportunities, take risks, and keep growing. I don’t want to look back with regrets about the choices I made, whether in my professional journey or in my personal life. Every decision, even the difficult ones, has shaped who I am today and brought me closer to the person I strive to become. For me, it’s about living with intention, following my passions wholeheartedly, and making the most of the time I’m given.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
What I fear most is not continuing to learn and grow. Growth is what pushes us forward, both as individuals and as a community. Even when we stumble or make mistakes, the act of trying is never wasted—it’s in those moments that we discover our strength, resilience, and potential. To stop learning would be to stop living, and I believe every experience, whether a triumph or a setback, is an opportunity to become better than we were yesterday.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.haosgrocerycafe.com/
- Instagram: haosgrocerycafe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/haosgrocerycafe/
Image Credits
Nancy Farrar
